<p>A flight from Bangalore to Delhi, is by and large an affable experience unless the Air India service, that one may have picked, is overtly delayed or the cabin crew at Indigo Airlines, typically stern and unfriendly, turn out downright rude. Both are plausible. But, in so far as the airports are concerned, many travellers that your columnist speaks to, on such journeys, seem happy enough. Delhi and Bangalore terminals are admittedly world class, with constant upgrades and the introduction of better and more efficient services. On this score, trippers have a lot to thank the government too. The <em>digi-yatra</em>, a platform offered as a part of the digital India stack, allows for a seamless flow, without the fuss of scrambling for identification cards or boarding passes. Your columnist has been hopping the metro trails between Bombay, Delhi, Madras and Bangalore for three decades and despite the sporadic frustrations, an accepted fact of life in India, travel experiences have consistently bettered.</p><p>The main reason is the privatisation of airports. Delhi and Bangalore are efficiently managed by operators that either specialise in the field or have gained volumes of knowledge over the years, both in India and overseas. Sadly, this cannot hold true for Madras and Calcutta airports, which are yet saddled with government ownership. They have fewer departures though and therefore less pressure on what is basically a mediocre facility. But does that mean that all privately operated airports are top class? Sadly, not. Bombay airport, for instance, looks tired and shoddy. Its lounge is tragic and clogged, with hardly enough space to stand. Many of the travellators don’t work. The once beautiful art installations have decayed and the food court is grimy and unappealing. The operator gives the impression of lacking the experience of airport management, scrounging on investments needed to improve things or even worse, a near disinterest in how things are.</p><p> On the happier side is Hyderabad’s airport. Modern and efficient, it has a pleasant feel, with lots of natural light and a row of decent restaurants. Managed by a private operator it uses technology to enable traveller convenience. For instance, those who have only cabin luggage, together with a boarding pass, need not endure the ordeal of queues at check-in and security. A special gate has been allotted where they simply scan their bags and head directly to the departure lounge for a coffee. Unfortunately, like Bangalore, it has no special business class privileges, with separate security facilities, and this egalitarian approach may leave the business traveller feeling slightly short-changed. But it all generally works. </p><p>Whilst airports have certainly improved, airlines are yet to catch up. The market leader, Indigo, is efficient and convenient, with flight connections to almost everywhere. It cannot claim to providing an enjoyable experience nor does it even try to do so. It no longer charges fares that classify as low cost, but it gets you there and generally on time. Air India still struggles with a fleet of state roadway busses fitted with wings and until modern replacements arrive, travellers have to contend with the occasional broken seats and shabby interiors. But they more than make up in the quality of cabin service, kindness and decent food. Vistara, expected to merge with Air India, is head and shoulders above the rest. As a frequent traveller, your columnist avoids Spice Jet.</p><p>The aviation market in India, expected to grow to 400 million passengers a year by 2030, could surely do with a couple of new airlines to provide the much needed competition. The current duopoly cannot be construed as good news, as the absence of competition will dampen the incentives to be efficient and pleasant. Business travellers would ideally expect both.</p>
<p>A flight from Bangalore to Delhi, is by and large an affable experience unless the Air India service, that one may have picked, is overtly delayed or the cabin crew at Indigo Airlines, typically stern and unfriendly, turn out downright rude. Both are plausible. But, in so far as the airports are concerned, many travellers that your columnist speaks to, on such journeys, seem happy enough. Delhi and Bangalore terminals are admittedly world class, with constant upgrades and the introduction of better and more efficient services. On this score, trippers have a lot to thank the government too. The <em>digi-yatra</em>, a platform offered as a part of the digital India stack, allows for a seamless flow, without the fuss of scrambling for identification cards or boarding passes. Your columnist has been hopping the metro trails between Bombay, Delhi, Madras and Bangalore for three decades and despite the sporadic frustrations, an accepted fact of life in India, travel experiences have consistently bettered.</p><p>The main reason is the privatisation of airports. Delhi and Bangalore are efficiently managed by operators that either specialise in the field or have gained volumes of knowledge over the years, both in India and overseas. Sadly, this cannot hold true for Madras and Calcutta airports, which are yet saddled with government ownership. They have fewer departures though and therefore less pressure on what is basically a mediocre facility. But does that mean that all privately operated airports are top class? Sadly, not. Bombay airport, for instance, looks tired and shoddy. Its lounge is tragic and clogged, with hardly enough space to stand. Many of the travellators don’t work. The once beautiful art installations have decayed and the food court is grimy and unappealing. The operator gives the impression of lacking the experience of airport management, scrounging on investments needed to improve things or even worse, a near disinterest in how things are.</p><p> On the happier side is Hyderabad’s airport. Modern and efficient, it has a pleasant feel, with lots of natural light and a row of decent restaurants. Managed by a private operator it uses technology to enable traveller convenience. For instance, those who have only cabin luggage, together with a boarding pass, need not endure the ordeal of queues at check-in and security. A special gate has been allotted where they simply scan their bags and head directly to the departure lounge for a coffee. Unfortunately, like Bangalore, it has no special business class privileges, with separate security facilities, and this egalitarian approach may leave the business traveller feeling slightly short-changed. But it all generally works. </p><p>Whilst airports have certainly improved, airlines are yet to catch up. The market leader, Indigo, is efficient and convenient, with flight connections to almost everywhere. It cannot claim to providing an enjoyable experience nor does it even try to do so. It no longer charges fares that classify as low cost, but it gets you there and generally on time. Air India still struggles with a fleet of state roadway busses fitted with wings and until modern replacements arrive, travellers have to contend with the occasional broken seats and shabby interiors. But they more than make up in the quality of cabin service, kindness and decent food. Vistara, expected to merge with Air India, is head and shoulders above the rest. As a frequent traveller, your columnist avoids Spice Jet.</p><p>The aviation market in India, expected to grow to 400 million passengers a year by 2030, could surely do with a couple of new airlines to provide the much needed competition. The current duopoly cannot be construed as good news, as the absence of competition will dampen the incentives to be efficient and pleasant. Business travellers would ideally expect both.</p>
